Computer Literacy BASICS1

The Customize Toolbar Dialog Box

To add a button, select it from the Available list box and click the Add button.

To remove a button from a toolbar, select it in the Current list box and click the Remove button.

The Available toolbar buttons list box displays the types of command buttons available.

The Current toolbar buttons list box displays the buttons already on the toolbar.

Computer Literacy BASICS2

Cleaning Up Your Desktop

Icons on your desktop are shortcuts to programs and are called desktop shortcuts.

Windows XP has a Desktop Cleanup Wizard (available from the Desktop Items dialog box) that can examine desktop icons and tell you which ones have not been used over a 60-day period.

The Wizard gives you the option of removing unused icons to free up desktop space.

Removed icons are stored in an Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder so they can be retrieved if needed.

Computer Literacy BASICS3

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are represented by icons on your desktop.

Double-clicking a shortcut opens the actual item to which the shortcut is pointing.

A small arrow in the lower-left corner of an icon identifies it as a shortcut.

Computer Literacy BASICS4

Shortcuts (cont.)

A shortcut functions as a pointer to an application or a document file, wherever the file is located.

You create a shortcut by dragging a file to the desktop or by using the Create Shortcut command on the File menu.

Computer Literacy BASICS5

Creating a Shortcut Using Drag and Drop

Using the right mouse button, right-drag the item (file, program, folder) from its current location in the My Computer window to where you want the shortcut.

Drop the item where you want it by releasing the mouse button.

Computer Literacy BASICS6

Creating a Shortcut Using Drag and Drop (cont.)

A shortcut menu appears, giving you several options. – Click Create Shortcuts Here to create a

shortcut icon with a default name.– To change the name, right-click the icon to

open the shortcut menu and select Rename.

Computer Literacy BASICS7

Creating a Shortcut Using the File Menu

Select the item for which you want to create a shortcut in the My Computer window.

Open the File menu and click Create Shortcut.

A shortcut icon for the item appears as the last item in the My Computer window.

Drag the shortcut item from the My Computer window to the desktop.

Computer Literacy BASICS8

Using Shortcut Keys

A shortcut key is a keystroke combination that runs a program or opens the dialog box to which it is linked.

Shortcut key combinations are assigned using the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and a letter or number key to create a combination such as Ctrl + Alt + N.

You can activate the program or object assigned to a shortcut by using a shortcut keystroke combination that you assign in the Shortcut Properties box.

Computer Literacy BASICS9

Assigning a Shortcut Key

Right-click the shortcut and select Properties to open the My Shortcut Properties dialog box.

Select the Shortcut tab. Click in the Shortcut key text box. Press and hold down the Ctrl key

and enter the letter or number key you want to use for the shortcut.

Click OK to save your shortcut key.

The Shortcut key text box in the My Shortcut Properties dialog box

Computer Literacy BASICS10

Deleting a Shortcut

There are several ways to delete a shortcut when it is no longer needed:– Select the shortcut, then press the Delete key.– Right-click the shortcut, then select Delete from

the shortcut menu.– Drag and drop the shortcut in the Recycle Bin.

Deleting a shortcut deletes only the shortcut, not the object attached to the shortcut.

Computer Literacy BASICS11

Quick Launch Bar Shortcuts

You can also add a shortcut to the Quick Launch bar on the taskbar.

If you don’t see the Quick Launch bar, right-click in an empty part of the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click Quick Launch.

Quick Launch shortcut icons

Computer Literacy BASICS12

Adding and RemovingQuick Launch Shortcuts

To add an icon to the Quick Launch bar, drag a program, document, or desktop shortcut icon to the Quick Launch bar.

To remove an icon from the Quick Launch bar, right-click the shortcut and then select Delete from the shortcut menu that displays.

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Summary

The Control Panel allows you to find information about system settings, change display options, and customize your desktop.

You can modify your desktop using the Display dialog box tools and options.

You can select from Windows’ existing themes or choose a different background on the Background tab.

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Summary (cont.)

Windows comes with a number of preexisting desktop themes that give your desktop a unified and distinctive look. A picture can be tiled to fill the whole screen, centered on the screen, or stretched across the screen.

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Summary (cont.)

You can use almost any picture or graphic file as a background. For example, you might take a photograph on a digital camera or download a graphic from the Web and then use it as a desktop background.

The Desktop Cleanup Wizard is used to remove any unwanted or unused desktop shortcuts from the desktop.

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Summary (cont.)

A shortcut functions as a pointer to a file—wherever it is located. Double-click the shortcut icon to open the actual item to which the shortcut is pointing.

You create a shortcut by dragging and dropping or by using the Create Shortcut option on the File menu. When you no longer need a shortcut, it can be deleted without impacting the original instance.

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Summary (cont.)

You can add a shortcut key to a Windows shortcut. A shortcut key is a keystroke combination that runs a program—or in this case, runs the Windows shortcut to which it is linked. Shortcut keys to Windows shortcuts always use Ctrl + Alt + and one additional character.

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Summary (cont.)

You can place a program, document, or desktop shortcut icon that you plan to use often on the Quick Launch bar.